Book supporting device



July 10, 1962 H. LA FLEUR BOOK SUPPORTING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 14, 1961 JNVENTOR. 22c 7297/ 22WW/ July 10, 1962 H. LA FLEUR- 3, 43,0

BOOK SUPPORTING DEVICE Filed Feb. 14, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I'l I Q M L m 4 6 65 INVENTOR. iecfvz o; We mf 3,043,047 BOOK SUPPQRTENG DEVHCE Hector La Fleur, 4527 N. Damen Ave., Chicago 25, Ill.

Filed Feb. 14, 1961, Ser. No. 89,216

Claims. (Cl. 45-60) This invention relates generally to devices for supporting or holding books in a convenient and accessible position for easy reference thereto. In particular, the book supporting or holding device embodying the invention is characterized by an improved structure for such a device which can be used either in a substantially horizontal or vertical poition with equal advantage.

Although not necessarily limited thereto, the book supporting device embodying the invention is especially useful for holding merchandise catalogs in a convenient position for reference thereto by customers. Such merchandise catalogs are widely used in many retail and Wholesale merchandising businesses, such as in discount and mail order houses, and customers refer to the catalogs for selecting and placing orders for the merchandise being sold. Heretofore, a common practice has been to leave the catalogs lie on counters or desks and often, to chain or otherwise secure the catalogs to the counter or desk to prevent inadvertent misplacement, and possibly, theft thereof. Although supporting and holding structures for such books have been available heretofore, these have been limited in that each structure can be used in only one position, namely, either in a substantially horizontal or in a vertical position, but has not been suitable for use in both of said positions.

In addition, such prior book support devices have been bulky and relatively expensive to manufacture. Since such support devices are used in public places, it is desirable that they be attractive and in no way detract from the appearance of the business premises. This applies both to the appearance of the book support structure as Well as the catalog or other book being supported thereon. For instance, it is desirable that the pages of the book remain neatly stacked on the support structure even when the customer is referring to the book. Also, it is desirable that the text adjacent the spine of the book can be exposed for ready reference thereto by the customer at any place in the book. Generally, heretofore available support structures for such catalogs have been unsatisfactory for achieving all of the advantages desired for such a structure.

Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a book support device of the character described which is characterized by a structure capable of achieving all of the desirable advantages hereinabove mentioned.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the vcharacter described which can be arranged in either a horizontal or vertical disposition for supporting a catalog or the like thereon with equal efficiency and advantage.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character described having a canted base or support surface for a book having a binder for the book medially located thereon and means for installing said device in any one of a plurality of positions for use with said support surface or base properly orientated to enable convenient reference to the individual pages of the book supported on said device.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a device of the character describedhaving novel reversible support members for the bottom edges of the book pages in any position of use in which the device is placed; in which said device has a removable ring binder for the book in a modified embodiment of the invention; in which said device has retractile mounting members for mounting the device on a wall; in which said device is economical to manufacture and which is compact and attractive.

3,043,647- Patented July 10, 1962 The foregoing and other objects of the invention will become apparent from the ensuing description thereof. A preferred embodiment has been described in detail in the specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Minor variations in the size, arrangement, proportion and construction of the several parts of the invention may occur to the skilled artisan without departing from the scope or sacrificing any of the advantages thereof.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters are used to designate the same or equivalent parts throughout the several figures thereof:

FIG. 1 is a perspectiveview of the book holder structure embodying the invention illustrated operably installed upon a horizontal surface such as a counter, table or the like in one position of use thereof.

FIG. 2 is a perspective View of the said holder structure illustrated vertically installed on a wall in another position of use thereof.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of said holder structure vertically arranged on one end thereof in still another position of use thereof and with the mounting members thereof retracted.

FIG. 4 is an exploded plan view of said holder and showing how the page support means can be reversed for using the structure either as shown in FIG. 1 or in FIG. 2 and 3.

FIG. 5 is a rear plan view of said structure as shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 66 of FIG. 5 and in the direction indicated and showing a modified form of ring binder capable of being used in the device embodying the invention.

Referring now to the drawings, the book holder device embodying the invention is designated generally by the reference character 20. In FIG. I, said device 20 is shown in operative position upon a horizontally arranged surface'22, such as may be provided by a table, counter or the like. In FIGS. 2 and 3, the device 20 is shown operatively installed in a vertically arranged position that is, supported on the wall 23 shown in FIG. 2 and upon one end thereof in FIG. 3. As seen from FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 the device 20 can be used in any one of a plurality of positions with equal advantage and efficiency.

Generally, the device 20 includes a base or platform 24 preferably formed of sheet metal to provide a planar support surface of generally rectangular shape for the book 26. The book is secured on the platform 24 preferably by means of a binder device 28 such as the conventional ring binder illustrated in the drawings. The binder device 28 may be secured transversely across the medial portion of the platform 24 by rivets or other suitable fasteners, although in another embodiment of the invention to be described subsequently herein, the. binder device is removably secured to the platform 24. Removably mounted on the platform 24 is means 30 for supporting the bottom edges of the pages of the book 26 in any position of use of the device 20.

The platform 24 has a pair of depending flanges 32 and 34 integral with opposite longitudinal edges of the platform and coextensive in length therewith for economy of manufacture. The flange 32 is wider than the flange 34. To the bottom of the platform 24 is secured a pair of plates or blocks 36 of generally triangular configuration, the plates 36 being arranged parallel one with the other and extending between the flanges 32 and 34. The platform 24 is engaged upon the hypotenuse edge of each triangular plate or block 36. T o the bottom edge 37 of each plate or block 36 is secured a pair of foot members 39 of resilient material so as to prevent marring and scratching of the surface 2. This is best seen in FIG. 5.

When the device rests on a horizontal surface 22, the platform 24 will be downwardly sloped or canted ,by

' equal width and suitable to achieve the sloping platform surface.

The means 30 for supporting the bottom edges of pages of the book or catalog 26 comprise a pair of angle brackets =38 of sheet metal each of which is secured to a substantially rectangular flat member 40 formed of cardboard, plastic, metal or the like and preferably covered with a fabric material to enhance the appearance thereof. Each bracket 38 has a leg 42 thereof upstanding along anedge 44 of the member 40 to which it is secured. The platform 24 and each member 40 have cooperating snap-fastener elements 46 and 48 respectively for removably attaching each member '40 on the platform 24. The book or catalog 26 is supported on said members 40 with the legs 42 adjacent the -flange 34 and abutting the bottom edges of pages of the book 26 for retaining said pages in a neat stack in the opened condition of the book seen in FIG. '1. The flange 34 would correspond to the bottom edge of the platform in this position of use of device 20. r The fastener elements 46 on the platform are located adjacent each corner of the platform, as seen in FIG. 4 and fastener elements 48 are each located adjacent a corner of a member '40 adjacent one lateral edge thereof. 7 During useof the device 20 in the horizontal disposition thereof shown in FIG. 1, a display sign or placard 50 having protruding rods 52 can be mounted erect on the platform by inserting the rods 52 into suitably spaced apart openings provided in the platform 24 adjacent the flange 32. It will be noted that each of the flat members 40'has a portion 54 thereof protruding outwardly of the adjacent lateral edge of the platform so as to provide a ledge for the pages of the open book without necessitating enlargement of the platform 24 for this purpose.

Considering now the use of the device 20 as shown in vertical disposition thereof in FIG. 2 or in FIG. 3. As

compared to the horizontal position of use of the device shown in FIG. 1, theplatform 24 is vertically arranged and supported on a wall 23, which may include a perform 24 for removing same from binder 28 and replacing them properly.

As seenin FIG. 2, the device 20 is suspended on the Wall 23 by means of hanger arms 56 pivotally mounted one on each of the plates or blocks 38. The journalled end '57 of the arm 56 can be threaded for receiving a wing nut 58 for tightening up on the said journalled end of the arm to prevent inadvertent pivotalmovement thereof when the device 20 is mounted to wall 23. The opposite end 60 of each arm is of suitable L-shaped configuration for engaging into a perforation of the pegboard wall 23. It will be appreciated that the ends 60 may be hook-shaped or of any other suitable configuration for mounting the device 20 on the wall 23. It will be appreciated that when the hanger arms 56 are not required to be used, the wing nuts 58 can be loosened and-the arms 56 pivoted to a retracted or folded position adjacent the blocks 36 as seen in FIG. 3.

The sign 50 also can be used with the device as mounted in FIG. 2 merely by inserting the rods 52 into suitable openings 62 provided in the narrower flange 34.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the device 20 is illustrated in a vertically arranged position of use supported upright on a horizontal surface, such as surface 22. Here, the device 20 rests upon the wider flange' and the hanger arms 56 are shown in their retracted or folded position adjacent the blocks 36. To achieve this position of use, the members 49 and the catalog pages will have to be inverted as discussed in connection with FIG. 2, but the hanger arms 56 will not be used. Note that both in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the brackets 38- ;are located adjacent the lower end of the device 20 in proper position for supporting the "bottom edges of the pages of the book.

The principles of the invention contemplate enabling the binder and book held thereby to be removed from the platform. of the devicesimultaneously and together inverted to the required position when the position of use a of the-device is changed from horizontal to vertical, or

forated panel commonly known as peg boar secured on the wall; The narrower flange 34 is at the upper end of the device and the wider flange 32 is at the hottom end of the device in this vertical position of the.

device. ,This position of the device is inverted with respect to that shown in FIG. 1 where flange 32 is at the to'p end and flange 34 is at the bottom end of the device 20. The blocks or plates 36 engage against the wall 23 so that the platform 24 is arranged diagonally "downwardly and outwardly relative to the wall. Since the platform 24 in FIG. 2 is inverted relative to the position thereof shownin FIG. 1, the flat members 40 also would have to be reversed so that the-brackets 68 thereon will be located adjacent the flange 32 of the device as illustrated in FIG. 2. The manner of accomplishing such reversal of the flat members 40 is illustrated in FIG. 4 wherein the member 40A is shown removed from the platform 40 by disengaging the snap-fastener elements 46 and 48 and then having been'inverted as indicated by the arrow 54, can be snapped in place on the platform 2410 the left of the binder means 28. The member 40 to the right of the binder means 28, already is in proper position on the platform for use of the device 20 in a vertical position. Prior to such inversion, member 40 was to the left and member 40A was to the right of binder means 28. Also, the pages of the book 26 are required a to be inverted when the platform 24 is inverted and this vice versa. In this form'of the invention, the members 44} also would have to be inverted, as described, as a result of the change in position of use of the device 20.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and '6, a modified form of the invention is designated generally by the reference character 20A. Corresponding parts of the devices 20 and 20A are identified by means of the same character of reference so that the similarity in structure of the devices need not be discussed in detail. The binder means 28A may be substantially identical to the binder means 28 of device 20 in principle of operation. However, binder 28A has a tongue 64 at one end of the binding post 66 thereof which extends rearwardly substantially normal tosaid binding post. At its opposite end, the post 66 has a tongue 68 which is substantially L-shaped in configuration. A pair of slots 70 are provided in the medial portion of the platform spaced apart approximately the same distance as the length of the binding post 66. Ac-

cordingly, each of the tongues 64 and 68 can be engaged in a slot to mount the binding post-66 on the platform. The tongue 64 can be provided with a hole 72 for engaging therein the bolt 74 of a lock 76 so as to prevent unauthorized removal of the catalog or book 26. The binding post 66' is readily removable from the platform by disengaging the tongues 64 and 68 from the. slots so that the binder 28A and the book 26 can be lifted from the platform together;

The versatility of the book holding structure 20 or 20A should be apparent from the foregoing disclosure. Very little manipulation of parts is required to install the device in any of positions of use of which it is capable. The ring binder means attached on the platform enable the pages of the book to be folded back conveniently to expose text material adjacent the spine of the book. The pages of the book when open always are retained in a neat stack on opposite sides of the binder means 28. The device 20 can be used either in a horizontal disposition or vertical disposition thereof, either attached on a wall or resting on one end thereof, all with equal realization of the advantages and benefits of the structure.

It is believed that the invention has been described in sufficient detail to enable the skilled artisan to understand and practice the same. The invention has been pointed out particularly in the claims hereto appended 1n language intended to be broadly and liberally construed commensurate with the achievement represented by the improved structure embodying the invention.

What it is desired to secure by Letters Patent of" the United States is:

1. A book holder device adapted to be operatively installed both in a horizontal and vertical position of use comprising, a platform having a book binder means secured thereon, leg means depending from the platform adjacent opposite edges thereof, said leg means adjacent one of said edges being longer than the leg means adjacent the opposite one of said edges whereby the said platform is downwardly sloped when the leg means are engaged against a fiat surface, and means releasably secured on said platform for supporting the bottom edges of the pages of a book held on said structure, said last mentioned means being selectively interchangeable in the position thereof relative said binder means so as to be operative in either of said positions of use of the device, said platform having means for removably securing said device on a wall in said vertical position.

2. A book holder device adapted to be operatively installed both in a horizontal and vertical position of use comprising, a platform having a book binder means secured thereon, leg means depending from the platform adjacent opposite edges thereof, said leg means adjacent one of said edges being longer than the leg means adjacent the opposite one of said edges whereby the said platform is downwardly sloped when the leg means are engaged against a fiat surface, and means releasably secured on said platform for supporting the bottom edges of the pages of a book held on said structure, said last mentioned means being selectively interchangeable in the position thereof relative said binder means so as to be operative in either of said positions of use of the device, and hanger means pivotally secured on the under side of said platform and movable between a first position operable to enable the device to be mounted on a wall in said vertical position of use and a second position retracted adjacent said underside of the base to permit the device to be supported on a horizontal surface in said second position of use thereof.

3. A device of the character described in claim 2 in which said leg means comprise depending members connected to said platform adjacent longitudinal edges thereof.

4. -A device as described in claim 2 in which said leg means comprise plate members secured to the underside of the platform between said flanges and said hanger means are pivotally secured at ends thereof on said plate members.

5. A book holder device adapted to be operatively installed both in a horizontal and vertical position of use comprising, a platform having a book binder means secured thereon, leg means depending from the platform adjacent opposite edges thereof, said leg means adjacent one of said edges being longer than the leg means adjacent the opposite one of said edges whereby the said platform is downwardly sloped when the leg means are engaged against a flat surface, and means removably secured on said platform for supporting the bottom edges of the pages of a book held on said structure in either of said positions of use of the device, said last mentioned means comprising, a flat member secured on opposite sides of said binder means, each flat member has an L-shaped bracket secured along one edge of the flat member with one leg of the bracket upstanding from the flat member, said flat members and platform having cooperating releasable fastening means for releasably securing said flat members on the platform with the upstanding legs located adjacent the bottom end of the platform in any position of use of the device.

6: A device as described in claim 2 in which said binder means is removably secured on said platform.

7. A device as described in claim 2 in which said binder means is removably secured on said platform, and releasable lock means is cooperatively engaged with said binder means to prevent unauthorized removal of the binder means.

8. A holder structure for a catalog or the like comprising, a sloped planar platform formed of sheet metal and having a pair of flange members depending along opposite edges thereof adapted to be engaged against a support surface when the structure is in use, a book binder device secured on the upper surface of the platform, said flange members being unequal in width, hanger means for attaching said structure on a vertical support surface, said hanger means being pivotally mounted on the platform to permit pivoting thereof to a retracted position when said flanges are engaged against a horizontal support surface, and a pair of brackets releasably attached on said platform on opposite sides of said binder device for supporting the bottom edges of pages of the catalog, said brackets each being selectively interchangeable in the position thereof relative said binder so as to be operative when the structure is supported both on the horizontal and vertical support surfaces.

9. The structure as described in claim 8 and a pair of planar members each having a bracket member fixedly secured thereon adjacent one edge thereof, and said planar members and platform have cooperating releasable fastening means for securing said plate members on the platform on opposite sides of the binder device.

10. A structure as described in claim 8 in which said binder device is removably secured on said platform.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,490,356 Hummel Dec. 6, 1 949 2,669,058 Fadeley Feb. 16, 1954 2,814,154 Krueger NOV. 26, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 210,160 Great Britain Jan. 28, I924 

